Methods and apparatus to provide packet switched service continuity during circuit switched fallback operation are described. One example method includes determining that a target system does not support packet switched handover; determining if non-3GPP access for packet switched service is available; and triggering handover to the non-3GPP access.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A method in a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: initiating a circuit switched fallback (CSFB) operation; during the CSFB operation in which a circuit switched service triggers the UE to fall back to a target system, determining to refrain from handing over a packet switched connection from a first system to the target system based on the target system not supporting packet switched service; determining that packet switched service is available via a wireless local area network (WLAN), the WLAN being of a radio access technology different from the target system; and in response to determining to refrain from handing over the packet switched connection to the target system during the CSFB operation and that packet switched service is available via a wireless local area network (WLAN), handing over the packet switched connection from the first system to the WLAN.
In a mobile phone (UE), when a voice call (circuit switched service) forces the phone to switch to an older network (target system) that doesn't support fast data, the phone normally would also move the data connection to the slower network. This invention avoids that. The phone checks if Wi-Fi is available. If Wi-Fi is available, instead of moving the data connection to the slower network, the phone moves the data connection to the Wi-Fi network. This keeps the data connection fast even during a voice call on the older network.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining that packet switched service is available via the WLAN comprises determining that the UE is currently connected to the WLAN.
The method described in Claim 1, where the phone checks if Wi-Fi is available, does this by simply checking if it is currently connected to a Wi-Fi network. If the phone is already using Wi-Fi, it assumes Wi-Fi data service is available for use as described in Claim 1.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising starting a suspend procedure for an active packet data network connection.
The method described in Claim 1 is further improved by pausing the current data connection before moving it to Wi-Fi. This involves starting a "suspend procedure" for the active data network connection. This suspends the current data session so it can be properly transferred to the Wi-Fi network, as described in Claim 1.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the suspend procedure is started before the handing over to the WLAN.
The method described in Claim 3 details that the step of pausing the data connection, or "suspend procedure", must be done before the data connection is moved to Wi-Fi, as described in Claim 1. This ensures that the current data session is properly suspended before attempting to handover.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the handing over the packet switched connection comprises handing over an active packet data network connection.
The method described in Claim 1 explains that moving the data connection to Wi-Fi means moving the active data network connection to the Wi-Fi network. This involves transferring the currently active data session from the cellular network to the available Wi-Fi network as described in Claim 1.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the handing over the active packet data network connection occurs when all active packet data network connections are handed over.
The method described in Claim 5 specifies that the active data connection is moved to the Wi-Fi network when *all* active data connections are moved to Wi-Fi, as described in Claim 1. This means the phone waits until all existing data connections are ready before performing the Wi-Fi handover.
7. The method of claim 5 , wherein the handing over the active packet data network connection comprises a handover of less than all active packet data network connections.
The method described in Claim 5 specifies that the active data connection handover comprises handing over *some*, but not necessarily all, active data connections to Wi-Fi, as described in Claim 1. This allows the phone to selectively move certain data connections to Wi-Fi while leaving others on the cellular network.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the UE is processing a mobile originated call.
The method described in Claim 1 pertains to situations where the user is making a call from their phone (mobile originated call). When the phone makes a call and needs to switch to an older network for voice, the phone can still move the data connection to Wi-Fi, as described in Claim 1.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the UE is processing a mobile terminated call.
The method described in Claim 1 also works when the user is receiving a call (mobile terminated call). Similar to making a call, when the phone receives a call and needs to switch to an older network for voice, the phone can still move the data connection to Wi-Fi, as described in Claim 1.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the handing over comprises a handover of an Internet Protocol (IP) flow of a packet data network connection.
The method described in Claim 1 explains that moving the data connection to Wi-Fi can be done by moving specific data flows (IP flows) of a data network connection. This allows fine-grained control over which data streams are moved to Wi-Fi, as described in Claim 1.
11. The method of claim 10 , further comprising initiating IP flow mobility of the IP flow.
The method described in Claim 10 includes starting a procedure called "IP flow mobility" for the specific data streams being moved to Wi-Fi. This "IP flow mobility" allows certain applications using certain IP flows to keep working while the phone is switched to Wi-Fi as described in Claim 1.
12. The method of claim 11 , further comprising maintaining one IP flow on an Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN).
The method described in Claim 11 includes the feature of keeping one specific IP flow on the current faster cellular network (E-UTRAN) even as other IP flows are moved to Wi-Fi, as described in Claim 1. This allows critical data connections like those for VoLTE to remain without switching to Wi-Fi.
13. The method of claim 1 , further comprising determining that the target system does not support packet switched handover based on determining that the target system does not support dual transfer mode.
The method described in Claim 1 explains that when the phone determines that the older network (target system) cannot support fast data handover, this determination is based on the older network not supporting "dual transfer mode". This is a technology that allows simultaneous voice and data, therefore the lack of this is why a transfer is not allowed to the target system as described in Claim 1.
14. The method of claim 1 , further comprising detecting a need to perform circuit switched fallback to the target system.
The method described in Claim 1 starts when the phone realizes it needs to switch to the older network (target system) to make or receive a voice call. This involves "detecting a need to perform circuit switched fallback". This step recognizes that a switch to the older network is required as described in Claim 1.
15. A user equipment (UE) comprising: a memory; and at least one hardware processor communicatively coupled with the memory and configured to: initiate a circuit switched fallback (CSFB) operation; during the CSFB operation in which a circuit switched service triggers the UE to fall back to a target system, determine to refrain from handing over a packet switched connection from a first system to the target system based on the target system not supporting packet switched service; determine that packet switched service is available via a wireless local area network (WLAN), the WLAN being of a radio access technology different from the target system; and in response to determining to refrain from handing over the packet switched connection to the target system during the CSFB operation and that packet switched service is available via a wireless local area network (WLAN), hand over the packet switched connection from the first system to the WLAN.
A mobile phone (UE) has memory and a processor. The processor is programmed to perform the following actions: When a voice call (circuit switched service) forces the phone to switch to an older network (target system) that doesn't support fast data, the phone normally would also move the data connection to the slower network. This invention avoids that. The phone checks if Wi-Fi is available. If Wi-Fi is available, instead of moving the data connection to the slower network, the phone moves the data connection to the Wi-Fi network. This keeps the data connection fast even during a voice call on the older network.
16. The user equipment of claim 15 , wherein determining that packet switched service is available via the WLAN comprises determining that the UE is currently connected to the WLAN.
The mobile phone described in Claim 15, where the phone checks if Wi-Fi is available, does this by simply checking if it is currently connected to a Wi-Fi network. If the phone is already using Wi-Fi, it assumes Wi-Fi data service is available for use as described in Claim 15.
17. The user equipment of claim 15 , wherein the at least one hardware processor is further configured to start a suspend procedure for an active packet data network connection.
The mobile phone described in Claim 15 is further improved by pausing the current data connection before moving it to Wi-Fi. The processor is further configured to start a "suspend procedure" for the active data network connection. This suspends the current data session so it can be properly transferred to the Wi-Fi network, as described in Claim 15.
18. The user equipment of claim 17 , wherein the suspend procedure is started before the handing over to the WLAN.
The mobile phone described in Claim 17 details that the step of pausing the data connection, or "suspend procedure", must be done before the data connection is moved to Wi-Fi, as described in Claim 15. The processor is configured to start the "suspend procedure" before the data connection is handed over to the WLAN. This ensures that the current data session is properly suspended before attempting to handover.
19. The user equipment of claim 15 , wherein the handing over the packet switched connection comprises handing over an active packet data network connection.
The mobile phone described in Claim 15 explains that moving the data connection to Wi-Fi means moving the active data network connection to the Wi-Fi network. The processor is configured to handover the active data network connection. This involves transferring the currently active data session from the cellular network to the available Wi-Fi network as described in Claim 15.
20. The user equipment of claim 19 , wherein the handing over the active packet data network connection occurs when all active packet data network connections are handed over.
The mobile phone described in Claim 19 specifies that the active data connection is moved to the Wi-Fi network when *all* active data connections are moved to Wi-Fi, as described in Claim 15. The processor hands over the active packet data network connection when all active packet data network connections are handed over. This means the phone waits until all existing data connections are ready before performing the Wi-Fi handover.
21. The user equipment of claim 19 , wherein the handing over the active packet data network connection comprises a handover of less than all active packet data network connections.
The mobile phone described in Claim 19 specifies that the active data connection handover comprises handing over *some*, but not necessarily all, active data connections to Wi-Fi, as described in Claim 15. The processor hands over the active packet data network connection where the handover comprises a handover of less than all active packet data network connections. This allows the phone to selectively move certain data connections to Wi-Fi while leaving others on the cellular network.
22. The user equipment of claim 15 , wherein the at least one hardware processor is to process a mobile originated call when the at least one hardware processor is to hand over the packet switched connection.
The mobile phone described in Claim 15 pertains to situations where the user is making a call from their phone (mobile originated call). The processor is configured to process a mobile originated call when the processor hands over the packet switched connection. When the phone makes a call and needs to switch to an older network for voice, the phone can still move the data connection to Wi-Fi, as described in Claim 15.
23. The user equipment of claim 15 , wherein the at least one hardware processor is to process a mobile terminated call when the at least one hardware processor is to hand over the packet switched connection.
The mobile phone described in Claim 15 also works when the user is receiving a call (mobile terminated call). The processor is configured to process a mobile terminated call when the processor hands over the packet switched connection. Similar to making a call, when the phone receives a call and needs to switch to an older network for voice, the phone can still move the data connection to Wi-Fi, as described in Claim 15.
24. The user equipment of claim 15 , wherein the handing over comprises a handover of an Internet Protocol (IP) flow of a packet data network connection.
The mobile phone described in Claim 15 explains that moving the data connection to Wi-Fi can be done by moving specific data flows (IP flows) of a data network connection. The handover comprises a handover of an Internet Protocol (IP) flow of a packet data network connection. This allows fine-grained control over which data streams are moved to Wi-Fi, as described in Claim 15.
25. The user equipment of claim 24 , wherein the at least one hardware processor is further configured to initiate IP flow mobility of the IP flow.
The mobile phone described in Claim 24 includes starting a procedure called "IP flow mobility" for the specific data streams being moved to Wi-Fi. The processor is further configured to initiate IP flow mobility of the IP flow. This "IP flow mobility" allows certain applications using certain IP flows to keep working while the phone is switched to Wi-Fi as described in Claim 15.
26. The user equipment of claim 25 , wherein the at least one hardware processor is further configured to maintain one IP flow on an Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN).
The mobile phone described in Claim 25 includes the feature of keeping one specific IP flow on the current faster cellular network (E-UTRAN) even as other IP flows are moved to Wi-Fi, as described in Claim 15. The processor is further configured to maintain one IP flow on an Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN). This allows critical data connections like those for VoLTE to remain without switching to Wi-Fi.
27. The user equipment of claim 15 , wherein the at least one hardware processor is further configured to determine that the target system does not support packet switched handover based on determining that the target system does not support dual transfer mode.
The mobile phone described in Claim 15 explains that when the phone determines that the older network (target system) cannot support fast data handover, this determination is based on the older network not supporting "dual transfer mode". The processor is configured to determine that the target system does not support packet switched handover based on determining that the target system does not support dual transfer mode. This is a technology that allows simultaneous voice and data, therefore the lack of this is why a transfer is not allowed to the target system as described in Claim 15.
28. The user equipment of claim 15 , wherein the at least one hardware processor is further configured to detect a need to perform circuit switched fallback to the target system.
The mobile phone described in Claim 15 starts when the phone realizes it needs to switch to the older network (target system) to make or receive a voice call. The processor is further configured to detect a need to perform circuit switched fallback to the target system. This involves "detecting a need to perform circuit switched fallback". This step recognizes that a switch to the older network is required as described in Claim 15.
Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.
September 20, 2011
August 1, 2017
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